Reds cruise to win over PSV

PSV Eindhoven 0 Liverpool 3

Liverpool produced a European masterclass in Holland to leave themselves almost certainly in the Champions League semi-finals.

Boss Rafael Benitez plotted another classic display in Europe by the men from Anfield, who take a three-goal lead into next week’s quarter-final second leg.

Captain Steven Gerrard got the ball rolling with a first-half header, with John Arne Riise cracking a stunning 30-yard effort after the break and Peter Crouch heading the third.

PSV started with what appeared an attacking intent, with Mika Vayrynen blasting just over from 20 yards after two minutes.

But very soon the Dutch league leaders settled into a defensive unit, veteran Phillip Cocu patrolling in front of a back four and Vayrynen operating as a deep striker, a ploy that left Jamie Carragher and Daniel Agger with no-one to mark for long spells.

It was a tactic PSV coach Ronald Koeman used against Arsenal in the previous round to good effect, and it also meant his side could flood back into their own half whenever Liverpool won possession.

But from Liverpool’s first corner they almost scored. Steven Gerrard fired the ball in from the left and Carragher met it 10 yards out with a firm header that Gomes somehow managed to palm around the post at full stretch.

There was little room for Crouch or Dirk Kuyt to work in with defenders very tight, although Crouch did find space for a 25 yarder that curled harmlessly over the bar.

PSV used the flanks when they did break, and on 23 minutes a cross from Jason Culina cleared the far post where Eindhoven had a man over, and only a last-ditch block from Finnan deflected a drive from Cocu over the bar.

But the first time Liverpool put a move of pace together after 27 minutes, they scored.

Mascherano found Finnan over-lapping on the right and when his pulled-back cross arrived in the box, so did Gerrard to send a low header past Gomes.

That was his 15th European goal for Liverpool, a new club record, overtaking Ian Rush’s 14 strikes.

Mascherano was booked on 38 minutes when he chased down Diego Tardelli and brought him down from behind.

Liverpool looked intent on increasing their lead quickly after the break and Xabi Alonso had one effort over and they wasted a break involving Gerrard when they outnumbered PSV's defenders.

But, in the 48th minute, Riise scored a sensational goal. A poor clearance fell to the Norwegian 30 yards out, and he took one stride before unleashing a thunderous drive that crashed past a startled Gomes.

PSV responded two minutes later by sending on striker Patrick Kluivert in placed of midfielder Edison Mendez to give them more strength up front.

Then Gomes flapped at a Kuyt cross and Riise almost capitalised, but the goalkeeper's error surprised even the Liverpool man.

Alonso then attempted a cheeky 40-yard chip over Gomes, who had strayed from his line, but the ball dropped over the bar.

PSV were rattled and Liverpool started finding space for Gerrard’s runs and the movement of Kuyt.

It was 3-0 in the 62nd minute when Crouch jumped high above his marker to head a Finnan cross powerfully into the top corner.

Kluivert was then booked for a late tackle on Mascherano, and Liverpool withdrew Riise in the 65th minutes, sending on Bolo Zenden.

PSV then took off former Liverpool man Jan Kromkamp, sending on Csaba Feher.

Liverpool then lost Aurelio, who was carried off after sustaining what looked like a ruptured Achilles with no-one near him.

Mark Gonzalez came on after 74 minutes, before Kuyt was booked in injury-time for refusing to retreat from a free-kick.

The Philips stadium was almost silent now, with the 3,000 or so Liverpool fans roaring out their songs of triumph.